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TORONTO, July 19, 2016 /CNW/ - ProMIS Neurosciences ("ProMIS" or the "Company"), a company focused on the discovery and development of precision treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that it has initiated a program to identify novel therapeutic targets on neurotoxic strains of the protein TDP43, implicated in the development of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ("ALS") and frontotemporal dementia ("FTD").

"ProMIS will apply its proprietary computational algorithms, supplemented by other methods pioneered by ProMIS scientists, to identify specific therapeutic targets on misfolded TDP43," said ProMIS Chief Science Officer, Dr. Neil Cashman. "Our goal is to specifically target misfolded TDP43 without disrupting the critical role that normally-folded TDP43 plays in cell biology. ProMIS plans to validate the monoclonal antibodies we develop against misfolded TDP43 in diseased human tissue, and then select the ideal candidates to progress to drug development."

TDP43 is present in every cell, and in addition to participating in the expression and processing of genetic material, TDP43 plays a critical role in the response of cells to oxidative stress. In ALS, FTD and other neurodegenerative diseases however, TDP43 can lose its normal function, forming intracellular aggregates of misfolded TDP43 that disrupt cellular energy generation and normal aging-related protein degradation.

ProMIS will host a webinar on Wednesday, July 20th at 1:00 PM ET to discuss the Company's recent progress, followed by Q&A session with Dr. Elliot Goldstein, ProMIS' CEO, and Dr. Neil Cashman, ProMIS' CSO. Participants can register for the webinar at:

About ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. The mission of ProMIS Neurosciences is to discover and develop precision medicine therapeutics for effective treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer's disease and ALS.

ProMIS Neurosciences' proprietary target discovery engine is based on the use of two, complementary techniques. The Company applies its thermodynamic, computational discovery platforms—ProMIS™ and Collective Coordinates — to predict novel targets known as Disease Specific Epitopes (DSEs) on the molecular surface of misfolded proteins. Using this unique "precision medicine" approach, ProMIS Neurosciences is developing novel antibody therapeutics and specific companion diagnostics for Alzheimer's disease and ALS. The company has also developed two proprietary technologies to specifically identify very low levels of misfolded proteins in a biological sample. In addition, ProMIS Neurosciences owns a portfolio of therapeutic and diagnostic patents relating to misfolded SOD1 in ALS, and currently has three preclinical monoclonal antibody therapeutics against this target.

The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The information in this release may contain certain forward-looking information. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by statements herein, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it as well as other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its public securities filings, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.